Stumbled upon a Wikipedia article talking about modern (20th century) concepts of Christianity which I found interesting. So I began to try to dissect the differences between modern concepts in Charismatic Christianity with the more traditional ones in Reformed (Calvinist) and Baptist theologies.

Essentially what I discovered was this, Reformed Theology forms pretty much the basis for Protestant beliefs today:

1. The inerrancy and infallibility of the Word (Biblical inspiration, 2 Timothy 3:16)
2. Justification and salvation by faith in Christ alone (Sola fide and solus Christus), and
3. The Word being the final and highest authority in our belief. (Sola scriptura)

I stand by these tenets that these three fundamental principles cannot be compromised in any sense or form. On the other hand, the modern movements, while also agreeing upon these three basic tenets, also focus on a couple other foci, most prominently spiritual gifts, and a deeper emphasis on experience and feeling. This is most closely linked to the Day of the Pentecost in Acts 2. The reason why disagreements occur in the church can probably be attributed to 'grey areas' when involving these concepts. Spiritual gifts such as prophesying and speaking in tongues become a point of contention when they give new revelations beyond what is written in the Bible (see point 3), and sometimes these things can be hard to discern without extensive reading from the Bible and with plenty of prayer.

God has warned us against this in Revelation 22:18-19.

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Spiritual gifts, experiences, and emotions must always be subject and in agreement with the Word of God. But having said that, as long as any individual fully understands and obeys of the basic beliefs above, then he or she is walking right in the Lord and enjoying God's love. We are then in no position to judge or view him or her regardless of whether that person has different practices. We as Christians must be forgiving and patient, giving others the benefit of the doubt when we are unsure or uncomfortable ourselves, for Christ moves us in different ways which we do not understand. After all the Bible has cautioned us twice not to judge others because of different practices:

"But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me." (Mark 9:39)
"And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us." (Luke 9:50)

The issue of differing practices can be a very hairy issue, especially since even Christ's disciples were not immune from committing mistakes in being unable to discern clearly what is right in God's eyes, and what isn't. This is something that requires plenty of wisdom, prayer, and prudence to tackle, and it will not go away until the day we meet our Lord again. Until then we must always stay careful not to compromise on our basic beliefs, but also not to judge others too hastily. May God give us wisdom and guidance. || posted by Kuan Hui